Over the past three years ASCAP has distributed $1.6 Billion

First-ever Meeting Held in Atlanta

Thousands of ASCAP members gathered at the Society’s annual membership meetings held this year in Los Angeles, New York and, for the first time ever, in Atlanta. ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman hosted all meetings, which this year also marked ASCAP’s 90th Anniversary.

At the meetings, ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento announced that 2003 revenues were the best ever in the Society's history, beating the previous all-time high of $646 million reported in 2001. He also reported on ASCAP’s all-time low operating expense ratio of 13.9%, one of the lowest operating ratios in the world for a performing right society, and the lowest by far in the US.

Citing some of the reasons for the Society’s strong performance in 2003, LoFrumento said: “The development of new cutting-edge technology, such as Mediaguide, our continued focus on cost reduction and our commitment to negotiating the best licensing deals for our members have contributed to our success, further establishing ASCAP as the leading performing rights organization in the U.S. As a measure of what that success means to our members, we have distributed over $1.6 billion over the past 3 years."

Bergman and LoFrumento also reported on important legislative developments, technological innovations, the growth of ASCAP licensing efforts, and celebrated the 90th anniversary of ASCAP with a special screening of a commemorative video tracing the birth of ASCAP through to the new millennium. ASCAP's Executive Vice President, Membership Group, Todd Brabec reviewed ASCAP's outstanding performance on the 2003 Billboard charts, and in major music awards and nominations, highlighting the exceptional achievements of 50 Cent, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Alan Jackson, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, Nelly, OutKast and Justin Timberlake to name a few. Brabec was especially pleased to note that eight of the ten songwriting and composition awards presented at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards, which took place on February 8 in Los Angeles, were captured by ASCAP members. Multiple-award winners Beyoncé, OutKast, Luther Vandross, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake and the late June Carter Cash -- all members of ASCAP -- dominated the awards, and ASCAP members also received such top honors as Record of the Year (Coldplay), Album of the Year (OutKast) and Song of the Year (Richard Marx and Luther Vandross).

ASCAP's film and television music composers also had an exceptional year making their mark in primetime TV series and top box office hits including James Horner (House of Sand and Fog), Howard Shore (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King), Gabriel Yared (Cold Mountain); Sean Callery (24), Bruce Broughton (Eloise at the Plaza), and Bill Conti for outstanding musical direction for the 75th Annual Academy Awards. And, on Broadway, Marc Shaiman's hit musical, Hairspray, swept the Tony Awards with eight wins, including Best Musical and Best Original Score.

Prior to each meeting, ASCAP members attended special pre-meeting seminars. This year's seminar entitled “ASCAP Innovations for Member Success” included a demonstration of Mediaguide (a state-of-the-art performance tracking service), new web tools, an update on MusicPro Insurance, and more career building initiatives. The Atlanta meeting also included a “Business Success” panel discussion featuring ASCAP member Jermaine Dupri, manager Russell Carter, Hitco Music's Shakir Stewart, and Atlantis Music Conference organizer/partner Mark Willis.

February 2004 marked the 90th anniversary of the founding of ASCAP. As the world's largest performing rights organization. ASCAP's growing membership now numbers over 180,000 composer, lyricist and publisher members, an increase of more than 20,000 over the prior year.

ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento announcing record distributions at the New York City membership meeting.

ASCAP President and Chairman Marilyn Bergman at the Atlanta meeting marking the Society’s 90th anniversary.

Senior VP Phil Crosland explaining MusicPro’s benefit to members.

Executive VP Todd Brabec highlighted ASCAP members accomplishments in 2003.

Senior VP Chris Amenita explaining ASCAP’s development of Mediaguide.

Senior VP John Alexander demonstrating Mediaguide’s unique tracking abilities.

First-ever ASCAP Atlanta Membership Meeting Held at Omni Hotel/CNN Center